At a glittering ceremony in Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel on Wednesday 21 January, our team went head-to-head with eight other historic venues across the UK and was presented with the national award by TWIA founder Damian Bailey.

It’s an incredible feat for our exclusive use wedding venue, after receiving the National Winner trophy in 2024 for TWIA’s Events Team of the Year. We also scooped the regional title for three consecutive years for Yorkshire and the North East.

Watch the fabulous video from the National Finals here

Ellingham Hall was named Best Historic Wedding Venue in the UK which featured in Northumberland Gazette

If you are looking for an exclusive, unforgettable Two-Night Wedding Experience, contact the Event team at Ellingham Hall or book your private viewing appointment.

“However, we agreed that we would get married based on finding the right venue rather than the location!”

So, the couple drew up a list of prospective wedding venues to explore online and ruled out any that didn’t tick their boxes, to save on travelling.

“We knew we wanted a classic venue,” says Ellen, “we didn’t want a renovated barn or an outdoor wedding venue, as they wouldn’t work for the colder time of year. We wanted to be comfortable and warm, which shortlisted only a few venues in the end!”

And Ellingham Hall was the first exclusive wedding venue they visited.

“We were tempted to book the Hall while we were viewing it, to be honest,” adds Ellen. “But we decided it was only fair that we should go and look at the other venue on our list which was a hotel near Loch Lomond before making our decision.”

Notes from the Bride

How was your Viewing Appointment at Ellingham Hall?

The second we got in the car after viewing the hotel venue, Will said, “No!” The hotel and staff were lovely, but you felt like your wedding would be a spectacle for all to see. You would be walking through the hotel past other hotel guests. The ceremony rooms had big glass windows, which were lovely. But again, anybody walking past could look in. We wanted our wedding to be private for us and our friends and family. We just knew that Ellingham Hall was right. Nothing else compared to it.

Why did you choose a Winter Wedding?

We didn’t want to get married in spring and summer because for me, I didn’t want our wedding to be dependent on the weather. I think everybody who picks spring and summer says they don’t mind if it rains, but you’re always hoping for the sun and it can be a bit disappointing if it doesn’t show. I didn’t want to look out of the window and be disappointed. I like summer, but I love the autumn and early winter time especially. I think it’s really pretty. And everything is planned indoors for a winter wedding, so you know you won’t have the stress of having to change anything if it’s not sunny and warm!

Did you plan for a Christmas Wedding?

Not intentionally, but we knew we didn’t want a Halloween wedding. We hadn’t realised Ellingham Hall was going to be decorated for Christmas in mid-November and it was a really nice surprise. It made it a lot more special with the beautiful decor. Christmas hadn’t really been at the forefront of our minds as such, but it came together perfectly.

Tell us about your Scottish Wedding Theme?

As Will is from Scotland it was always going to be part of our day. Naturally Will and his wedding party wore tartan kilts, and our florals incorporated thistles, white Eustoma and native foliage’s. We chose a Quaich ceremony, where you use a two-handled cup as a union of the two clans. It marks your family’s coming together, which we wanted to celebrate. It really fitted in with what we had planned at Ellingham Hall. The registrar couldn’t be involved in this part as it includes alcohol, so the team at Ellingham planned this part for us. It was incorporated after our legal ceremony and speaks volumes for the Ellingham team as they delivered it all seamlessly.

And what other Scottish Traditions were Included?

We chose to have a ceilidh on the evening, which was brilliant. The Chapel was perfect because there’s so much space for us to dance. Usually at a ceilidh, it’s a bit cramped but the space in the room was ideal. And if guests got too warm during the dances, they could go outside to the cosy fire pit to cool off.

Did you use the Fire Pit on the Night Before Celebration?

We did and it was great fun. On the night before we toasted marshmallows on sticks and made smores with digestives. It was perfect and we took a lot of lovely photos around the fire pit which we used on our thank you cards for guests. .

Have you any advice for anyone planning a wedding?

Rely on your wedding planner or wedding planning team in Ellingham Hall’s case. It made everything so much easier for us, to know they were there to support us and offer advice every step of the way, which was really helpful.

If you are looking for Scottish Wedding Theme ideas or a Winter wedding venue in Northumberland contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Phil Smith

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Make Up – Shelley Scott Makeup

Groomsmen Kilts, Plaid & Shawl – MacGregor & MacDuff

Photobooth – Snap a Selfie Magic Mirror

Ceilidh Band – Alba Ceilidh Band

Child Care – Northumberland Wedding Creche

“We simply had the ultimate family party, I’d say. On the Sunday, we had games outside, including rounders, and everyone got involved. Then we enjoyed a barbecue, with karaoke and there were other activities on the evening.

“It was something I wanted to do, but not many venues would offer it. So, when we came to Ellingham Hall, I already knew they offered a two-night wedding.

“We asked if we could extend to three nights, and they were very accommodating. So we did it, and that was exactly what we wanted. We didn’t think we’d be able to because other venues had said they couldn’t offer three nights. Some don’t offer two night weddings either!”

Notes from the Bride

What did your Family say when they realised it was a three night wedding?

They all thought it was amazing, it was like a mini holiday! Everyone enjoyed their weekend away. On the Sunday, some guests stayed at Ellingham Hall while others visited Alnwick Castle and the beautiful coastal beaches. We made a weekend out of it. It was nice to have that extra time enjoying Northumberland and then for guests to return later in the day for a delicious barbecue with drinks. It was the ultimate family Sunday.

What did your Guests say about the Experience?

Everyone said it was amazing. They said the venue was beautiful and so well looked after. They all thought it was fantastic and only two guests had been to an event at Ellingham Hall before. They said it was just a lovely weekend full of fun and everyone was in good spirits. We felt very much like we were at home. In fact it felt like it was our house!

Did Guests have far to Travel?

We’re live about an hour and a half away from Ellingham Hall, but our guests came from all over. We’ve got family in London, Sheffield and some travelled all the way from Australia to celebrate with us! A couple of friends came from New Zealand too, we were thrilled they could join us.

Why did you opt for a Black-Tie Themed Wedding?

Well, we thought it would be a bit different. Ellingham Hall also inspired us. It just fitted with the look and feel of the Hall.

Why did you choose Ellingham Hall?

As soon as we drove up the driveway, we got the “wow” factor! Then we went inside and it felt right. Everyone on the team was just so good and very friendly. It was different to what we’d experienced at other venues because we immediately felt at ease and at home. There wasn’t anything pretentious and it was all about us and what we wanted, and not about us choosing a package which feels restrictive.

Why did you choose to marry in Summer?

I always wanted a summer wedding, as I love the idea of being outside. So because the outdoor ceremony spaces were so good, it was perfect for us. We played lawn games on the Sunday, which finished a perfect summer wedding.

You brought your dog, Zola. Was that part of your wishes?

Ellingham Hall is a dog friendly wedding venue and having our dog at our wedding, was very important to us. Their dog parlour is great, and Zola was able to stay in the Hall on the Friday night. It meant Dan could take her for a walk on the wedding day morning. It helped calm his nerves and keep to his usual routine of taking her out for a walk around the gorgeous grounds.

What’s your advice for anyone planning a summer wedding?

Don’t worry about the weather. It will be what it will be and Ellingham is perfect whatever the weather!

If you are looking for a three night wedding in Northumberland contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Holly Ruby Photography
Videographer – We Were Here
Content Creator – Moments Media
Registrar – Northumberland Registrars
Florist/Event Styling – Made Simply Perfect
Bridal Gown Day – Joana Bridal Harrogate
Bridal Dress evening – Unona
Hair – Up Do Darlin
Mua – HFS Make up Artist Make Up by Lau
Dog Chaperone – Wagging Tails NE
Cake – Cakes of Dales
DJ – PA Entertainments
Band – The Covers Club

Notes from the Couple

Why did you choose Ellingham Hall?

We viewed Ellingham Hall in early November 2023 while we were in the North East looking at wedding venues, and we were just blown away by how beautiful the Hall looked. Northumberland is a stunning part of the North East and the Hall is so beautiful and well decorated that it was really easy for us to imagine ourselves and our guests there.

We were looking for somewhere that could accommodate most of our family and friends and that would offer a two-night wedding so that everything could take place in the one setting. We’d viewed some venues that were a bit too oldy-worldy in terms of décor, and some that were much too modern and a bit “quirky” for our taste. Ellingham struck the right balance between the two!

It was a lovely, cold, sunny day when we viewed the Hall, and the leaves of the creepers had turned to gorgeous red tones with the arrival of autumn. That aesthetic helped our decision to opt for an autumn wedding over a spring wedding that we’d originally planned! And when we found out there was some availability for the following November it was a no brainer for us!

Why did you opt for a Celebrant Ceremony?

We were legally married at the Holy Name of Mary Church in Middlesbrough a month before our wedding celebration. Mikhaila adds, “We chose to do that because a lot of my family have been married or christened there and it was my grandparent’s local church, so it means a lot to me!”

At Ellingham, we wanted a ceremony that felt more personal, relaxed, fun, and that meant something a bit more special to us both. We came across Jo the celebrant quite early in our search and she was so bubbly and fun when we had our initial chat, so we booked her straight away.

What was your favourite part of your Wedding Day?

Mikhaila: That’s such a tricky one! If I had to pick one part, it would be the walking into the Ceremony room with my mum and seeing Jesse standing there waiting for me and smiling. Neither of us knew what the other was wearing, so we both had a nice surprise! He looked great, and behind him I could see Jo our celebrant grinning at me at the end of the aisle and the incredible fireplace flower garland that Becca had arranged for us, and it was just a beautiful moment. But my uncle playing Ellingham’s grand piano after dinner and getting everyone singing along would be a close second!

Jesse: It’s a cliché but seeing my wife-to-be appear and walk down the aisle is a memory I will never forget.

What did your Guests think about your Two-Night Wedding?

They loved it! It’s not an exaggeration to say that everyone we spoke to raved about Ellingham Hall and how lovely it was. The indoor open fires were a big hit (as was the fire pit) and people remarked how great it was to have almost everyone in one place. Guests also commented how seamlessly the day itself was managed by the Ellingham team!

What’s your advice to couples planning their Autumn Wedding?

The main thing we would advise is being very mindful about your venue and the optionality it offers: you could get a gorgeous, crisp, sunny day or you could get rain or wind. For us, Ellingham was the perfect choice because we knew that if the weather was good our guests could wrap up and enjoy the outdoor fire pit and lovely grounds – but equally, if the weather was bad, the Hall is large enough with beautiful interiors that we could spend the entire day indoors and it would still be fabulous!

So, when you’re looking at venues think can your venue adapt to the weather? Is it roomy enough inside that everything could happen indoors if it had to? And beyond that, we’d suggest paying attention to the venue staff: Ellingham’s experienced team were fantastic and handled all parts of our wedding day, so we didn’t have to think about a thing! Being able to trust your events team to take care of everything just means the day’s more enjoyable so you and your guests can properly relax!

To explore more beautiful images from Mikhaila & Jesse’s Autumn Wedding click here

If you are looking for an Autumn wedding venue in Northumberland contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Steven McDonald
Videographer – Top Table Films
Celebrant – Love Jo Ceremonies
Bridal Gown – Hugo & Elliott (Anna Campbell designer)
Hair & MUA – Claire Alexandra
Suits – Moss and Charles Tyrwhitt
Bridesmaid Dresses – Ghost
Florist – Wild in Tyne
DJ – Tartan Entertainment

It’s an incredible feat for the wedding venue whose events team was previously crowned TWIA National Winner for Events Team of the Year in 2024 and Regional Winner for three consecutive years.

Read more about how Ellingham Hall was named Best Historic Wedding Venue in the North East & Yorkshire which featured in Northumberland Gazette and The Chronicle.

If you are looking for an exclusive, unforgettable Two-Night Wedding Experience, contact the Event team at Ellingham Hall or book your private viewing appointment.

“I feel I would have been too hot if I’d chosen to wear a long-sleeved dress in spring or summer. So, we thought a winter wedding would suit us best” said Hannah. “And as there was a date in February available, we thought that would be perfect for us.”

The couple tied the knot at Ellingham Hall’s nearby St Maurice Church, which was also something that featured on the couples dream wedding shortlist.

Notes from the Bride

Why did you opt for a Church Ceremony?

We wanted to get married in a church, and as Ellingham Hall is so close to the village church, this really helped our decision. It played a huge part as to why we chose the venue, and the location was perfect as our guests only had to walk a few minutes to the church. I arrived at the church in a horse-drawn carriage, which had always been my dream.

Tell us the Main Reasons for choosing Ellingham Hall?

We loved the venue; it’s a gorgeous house and the fact it’s exclusive use is a huge bonus. There are many wedding venues which host multiple weddings each day. I didn’t like the idea of that at all. Ellingham Hall is totally private for your friends and family, and the team were amazing too. As soon as we walked into the Hall, we felt at ease, and everyone was so helpful. The Ellingham Team offer a personalised service, and they really listen to your vision. We had viewed a lot of wedding venues and we’ve been guests at many weddings too, but we hadn’t been to a wedding at Ellingham Hall. So, as well as the amazing service, privacy and closeness to the church, the idea of getting married where no one else we know has been married was also special for us.

Had you looked at other Two-Night Wedding Venues?

No, it was totally new to us and no other venue we viewed offered that experience. We loved the idea of stretching out our wedding, because the day itself flies over. It was nice for me and Ryan because we had the chance to chat with our guests the Friday night before, so we felt less pressure to mingle on the wedding day. We visited quite a lot of wedding venues across the North East and Ellingham Hall was the first one we’d come across that offered the Two Night Wedding.

Tell us why you opted for Two Wedding Dresses?

One of my best friends told me one of her biggest regrets on her wedding day was that she couldn’t relax on the evening because she didn’t want to spoil her dress. So, I thought a second dress would be a great solution. Also, I knew that with a long-sleeved dress, I’d probably feel too hot on the dancefloor, so I wanted a shorter dress that I could easily move around in.

My main bridal gown was from Sorella Bridal boutique in Northallerton, and my evening dress I’d spotted online on Knutsford Wedding Gallery in Cheshire.

What Unique Elements did you include in your Weekend Wedding?

We really wanted to put our own stamp on our wedding. We booked an acoustic singer to perform the night before, to make it more of a cocktail party vibe. We enjoyed delicious food, the beef was gorgeous, as were the chocolate brownies.

In the church, we booked a string quartet to play, which created a nice atmosphere for the ceremony. We had personalised newspapers designed, which we laid out on the pews so guests could take a look while waiting for the ceremony to begin. The newspaper was full of fun details about our relationship over the years.

We hired a big glitter wall with neon sign, where lots of our friends and family had their photos taken. On the evening, we hired a DJ along with a saxophonist and bongos to get the party going and everyone on the dancefloor.

How was your Wedding Morning?

I recall looking out the window in Lady B’s Wedding Suite and the weather was gorgeous, so I was over the moon. It was so exciting, and I didn’t really feel nervous at all. I think, because we had been planning our wedding for two years and the wedding planning team at Ellingham had every detail captured, it really helped. Before the ceremony, me and my bridesmaids enjoyed pre-ceremony drinks in the wedding suite which was lovely. I also got a mention on BBC Radio 2 as they were doing a piece on their show about Saturday weddings. My mum wrote in when they mentioned it, and we were both live on the show.

Any Advice for Couples Planning a Wedding?

Just don’t stress, it will all come together in the end. Don’t worry about all the little things and just enjoy the planning as much as you enjoy the wedding day. Also, let people make a fuss over you!

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Stephen Beecroft Photography

Videographer – Ryan Etherington

Content Creator – Your Moment Captured

Church – St Maurice, Ellingham

Bridal Gown (day) – Sorella Bridal Northallerton

Bridal Dress (Evening) – Knutsford Wedding Gallery

Mua – Beatrice Hollie/Samantha Henry

Hair – Bridal Hair by Kayleigh

Groom Suit – Dandy Threads

Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Bridesmaid by JB

Groomsmen Suits- Moss Bros

String Quartet – Amici Musical Trio

Singer – Glen Roughead

DJ/Sax/Bongos – House of Sax

Horse & Carriage – North East Carriage Company

Cake – Batesman’s Bakes

Cold Spark Fountains – AG Events

Balloons & Glitter Walls – ALF Events

“As both our families are Catholic it was important for us to keep up the tradition. St Paul’s Catholic Church in Alnwick was perfect for us, and we wanted to find a wedding venue nearby.”

The couple looked at several wedding venues in Northumberland, but Ellingham Hall was the venue that stole their hearts…

Notes from the Bride

Why did you Choose Ellingham Hall?

We knew it was right as soon as we first walked up the driveway for the viewing. The building is stunning, and the grounds are amazing too – we both got the feeling that it was the one. The venue was a great size for all our guests, as we have two big families and the other venues we viewed were too small. Not all our guests stayed overnight as we live in Cramlington, but Ellingham Hall offers great accommodation. With a summer wedding you don’t know if you’ll get good weather, so you need to consider the indoor spaces too. And the fact it is a two-night wedding was perfect. It was amazing!

Did you know about Two-Night Weddings before Visiting?

It was the first we’d heard of it, and we loved being able to relax with our family the night before. We have family from all over the UK, and some stayed at the Hall, so the extra night was a huge benefit. Other guests stayed at the Pack Horse Inn and accommodation nearby. It was fantastic having the chance to spend quality time together the night before, as it gave everyone time to catch up.

Tell us about the Night Before the Wedding?

We enjoyed a delicious barbecue with drinks outdoors on the Chapel Terrace. The food was unbelievable, all our guests commented how amazing the food was. They loved all of it, including the food on the wedding day. It was lovely to sit outside on a summer evening and watch the peacocks parading the grounds, it was great entertainment for our guests!

Did you have a Theme for your Wedding?

I had absolutely no ideas at all! I was really starting from scratch with all the wedding planning. I’m not an organiser and I really needed that support. It was Lynn, the Group Sales & Marketing Manager who showed us around, and she was amazing and very knowledgeable. She put all our worries at ease and said that anything was possible, as they tailor each wedding to the couple’s aspirations. But the planning resources that we were sent initially with the booking pack were so helpful. That gave us a starting point to go from which included Ellingham’s recommended suppliers. The Real Wedding Blogs are super helpful too, they gave us inspiration, ideas for colours and flowers and all those things.

What did you choose for your Wedding Favours?

I’m a wildlife ranger, so we opted for wildflower seeds for our favours. I thought it was a nice little personal touch for guests to take away. We originally thought about getting married in Greece and had the idea of a blue and white theme, so we stayed with those colours, and it all came together really well.

How did you Travel from Ellingham Hall to St Pauls Church?

Stephen travelled with his good friend Connor, who was also our Master of Ceremonies on the day. I arrived at the Church in a traditional wedding car along with my bridesmaids. The reason we opted to have a church wedding was we wanted to have a traditional wedding, so the car was a must. It made me feel really special driving through Alnwick and everyone stopping and waving.

Did you see each other before Arriving at the Church?

As Ellingham Hall has two wedding suites; Lady B’s and the Ellingham Suite, it made it easy to stay separately the night before and on the morning. The team at Ellingham Hall were amazing. Alicia was fantastic and made sure everyone was out of the venue before I came down the grand staircase to get some photos before leaving for the church.

So, it all ran like Clockwork?

It absolutely did at Ellingham Hall. We had a little hiccup on the way to the venue the night before , as the cake collapsed in the back of the car. But it was one of those funny stories we’ll always remember. Alicia our wedding co-ordinator was brilliant and when we arrived, she said the team would sort it out. You couldn’t tell there’d been an issue with the cake in the end, we were extremely grateful for their help!

Now you’ve Planned a Wedding, what’s your Advice to Couples?

I’d say book Ellingham Hall!

From start to finish, everything was amazing. All the staff were helpful and always on the end of the phone. They answered emails quickly. I felt like I was nagging them, and I had so many questions, and they really put me at ease throughout the planning process.

Explore more beautiful images from Katherine & Stephen’s wedding here

If you are looking for a Summer Church wedding in Northumberland contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photography – 2 Tone Photography

Videographer – Unveil Films

Church – St Paul’s Alnwick

Bridal Gown – Wed2B Bridal

Bridal Seamstress – The Little Seamstress

MUA – Melanie Hedley Make Up Artist

Hair – Bridal Hair by Cheryl

Suits – Suit Culture

Bridesmaids Dresses – Ever Pretty

Florist & Stylist – Made Simply Perfect

Wedding Car – AB Wedding Cars

Musicians- Andrelli Strings

Singer – Dave Red Music

Band – Hip Operation

Cake – Homemade

Wildflower Seeds – Etsy

Spring weddings in the UK are increasing in popularity. Summer may still be the most sought after season for most couples, but latest statistics show that March, April and May are seeing increasing numbers of wedding bookings.

One of the main reasons for the increasing number of spring weddings is cost. The peak summer months are more expensive due to demand, but the weather is also a factor.

In recent years, the spring and summer seasons haven’t experienced the usual variation in weather. And that has influenced more couples to consider spring when planning their wedding.

If a spring wedding your dream, or you are flexible on season –  contact us today and we’ll show you how Ellingham Hall can fit in with your spring wedding plans.

Are you looking for a Northumberland wedding venue with a difference? If so, you may wish to consider Ellingham Hall – because we are the specialists of the ‘Two Night Wedding’.

But what makes our weddings stand out from the crowd?

Our Two Night Wedding experience allows you to enjoy a more relaxing wedding celebration, as you and your guests take over the Hall and grounds from late afternoon the night before, until you’ve said your farewells, the morning after your ‘big day’.

This means you don’t have the stress of getting to the venue on the day you tie the knot. And because the night before allows friends and family from both sides to break the ice and mingle, this sets the atmosphere on the wedding day off to the perfect start!

Over the past 17 years, Ellingham Hall has become renowned for its unforgettable two-night weddings and has set the trend for such an experience.

A lot of our success is thanks to our multi award-winning team, who feel like part of your family during your stay. The teams passion and wealth of experience in planning and delivering dream weddings is highly praised by couples. Nothing is too much trouble, and as a result, our couples have a wedding they and their guests will always remember.

From the luxurious accommodation, homely reception rooms, underground party Den and an array of alfresco terraces and luscious lawns and woodland, we offer something for every family member to enjoy.

For us, it’s the small details that make a big difference to your wedding.

Do you want to know more?

If you are looking for an alternative to a traditional one day wedding and are searching for weekend wedding venues, then why not arrange a private viewing? Contact us today and find out how we can help you enjoy a Two Night Wedding Experience that you and your guests will never forget!

Why not check out our sister venue Lemmington Hall, which offers a summer Two Night Wedding Experience during the months of July to September.

So, it was a real thrill for every member of our team to know that the work they do is appreciated so highly by our couples. Indeed, their focus on couples is such a priority that some of the team couldn’t pick up their award because they were welcoming another happy couple to their wedding venue in Northumberland.

It was left to three of our management team to represent the Event Team and collect their award. But, as our Head of Weddings Debbie Armstrong, explains, no-one minded because the team’s focus is always on our couples.

If a spring wedding your dream, or you are flexible on season –  contact us today and we’ll show you how Ellingham Hall can fit in with your spring wedding plans.